*Sarasota Dolphin Research Program Internships*
The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP), a partnership led by the
Chicago Zoological Society and based at Mote Marine Laboratory in
Sarasota, Florida, conducts the world's longest-running study of a
dolphin population. The program's primary goal is to contribute to a
better understanding of the structure and dynamics of populations of
small cetaceans, as well as the natural and anthropogenic factors that
impact them. The SDRP uses an interdisciplinary and collaborative
approach in conducting studies of bottlenose dolphins within Sarasota
Bay, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and the Gulf of Mexico coastal
waters. For more information about the SDRP, please visit:
<http://www.sarasotadolphin.org>www.sarasotadolphin.org
<http://www.sarasotadolphin.org>.
The SDRP is in the process of selecting volunteer interns for our
Winter/Spring 2013 internship program (a minimum of 10 weeks of
participation during 2 Jan -- 3 May). The successful candidates will
participate in at least two research projects:
1) *Dolphin population monitoring project* (approx. 80% time)
This study will continue to monitor the resident bottlenose dolphin
community in Sarasota Bay. Duties in the field will include assisting
with boat-based photographic identification surveys for dolphin groups.
Behavioral, location, individual, and environmental data will be
recorded for each dolphin group. While in the lab, work will generally
involve photo-identification of dolphins, computer data entry, video
logging, dolphin dorsal fin identification catalog maintenance,
equipment maintenance and other duties. In 2012, we began development
of a Gulf-wide photographic identification catalog, greatly expanding
our existing catalog, and interns may be involved in some aspects of
this catalog's development in addition to working with the local
Sarasota Bay catalog.
2) *Dolphin prey and habitat use project* (approx. 20% time)
This study will use the Sarasota dolphin community and fish populations
to study relationships between distributions of dolphins and their prey
and factors that affect fish community ecology, such as red tide. While
in the field, work will involve sampling of fish communities through
purse seining techniques, collection of prey fish for energetic and
stable isotope analysis, and collection of other environmental data.
There is no compensation for these internship positions, and successful
applicants will be responsible for their own living and transportation
expenses during the time of the internship. Shared housing opportunities
near Mote Marine Laboratory may be available (cost: $85/week). A few
scholarships are available from Mote Marine Laboratory through a
competitive application process (US citizens only).
Applicants would ideally have the following qualifications:
* Minimum of 18 years of age and engaged in or recently completed
undergraduate studies;
* A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology,
Zoology or a related field;
* Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
(especially Excel and Access);
* Some field research experience preferred but not required;
* Must be able to swim;
* Enthusiasm and desire to learn a variety of field and lab based
research methods;
* A willingness to spend a minimum of 10-12 weeks working full time
as a volunteer with our program.
*To apply for a Sarasota Dolphin Research Program internship, interested
persons should:*
1) Fill out an application form at Mote Marine Laboratory's website
(www.mote.org/interns <http://www.mote.org/interns>). Be sure to select
"Sarasota Dolphin Research Program" as your first choice;
2) Complete and provide to Mote's intern office all other application
materials including: a statement of interest, current college
transcript, letter of recommendation, and /curriculum vitae/;
3) Send a brief email to the SDRP's Intern Coordinator (Katie McHugh,
[email protected]_) stating your name, contact information, exact dates
and duration of availability and that you have provided all of your
application materials to the Mote intern office, as detailed above.
All applications will be reviewed; those received by the application
deadline of September 15^th will be given first priority. We are seeking
3-4 interns for the winter/spring of 2013, depending on scheduling.
These are competitive positions - we typically receive many more
applications than we can accept. Applicants may contact Katie McHugh
(941-388-4441 ext. 450, [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>)
in the SDRP with any questions.
Applicants applying because of an interest in possibly being involved in
graduate studies with the SDRP should discuss their interests with
Program Director Randall Wells upon acceptance into the program.
--
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Katherine McHugh
Post-Doctoral Scientist
Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
Chicago Zoological Society
c/o Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 388-4441 x450 office
(650) 400-2776 cell
[email protected]
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